Color coded teaching system

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sport training device that includes a leg marker adapted to be removably placed on a walking surface for indicating placement of a user&#39;s leg on the walking surface, the leg marker having a color. The invention also includes a shoe marker adapted to be removably placed on a user&#39;s shoe and having a same color as the leg marker for indicating placement of the user&#39;s leg proximate to the leg marker. Further, the invention has an arm marker adapted to be removably placed on a striker for indicating placement of a user&#39;s arm on the striker, the arm marker also having a color. The invention also includes a glove marker adapted to be removably placed on a user&#39;s hand and having a same color as the arm marker for indicating placement of the user&#39;s hand proximate to the arm marker, where the shoe marker is placed proximately to the leg marker by matching the colors of the shoe marker and the leg marker for facilitating proper form of a user&#39;s lower body and where the glove marker is placed proximately to the arm marker by matching the colors of the glove marker and the arm marker for facilitating proper form of a user&#39;s upper body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for a color coded sportteaching device.

Often when a novice begins to play a sport, such as baseball orsoftball, the novice learns through experimentation how to best strike aball or position his/her body for optimum performance. Sports that seemto involve both striking a ball and positioning a body in proper forminclude cricket, stickball, baseball, softball, and the like. Usually,learning proper form for the body and how to strike the ball may involvea lot of practice and time in order to improve because the novice mayneed to coordinate the feet, hands, and eyes so that the he/she maystrike a ball, which is typically moving. Moreover, the novice may needto learn to properly hold the equipment use to strike the ball.

Further, throwing a ball may be as difficult to master as hitting theball with the bat. Some novices throw the ball side arm while others maythrow the ball with an overhead motion. Still others may throw the ballin a motion in between the side arm and overhead position. Throwing theball properly may be critical to succeed as a player, particularly forplayers who wish to be pitchers.

Likewise, fielding a ball is sometimes difficult to master, particularlythe position of the feet as the ball approaches the player. Some playersmay incorrectly have their legs open, which may lead to a ball passingthrough them. Hence, fielding a ball may involve practice and time for aplayer to improve.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,164 to Martin appears to disclose interlockingbatting gloves worn by a batter to help the batter hit a baseball. Theinterlocking gloves inhibit a batter from rotating his hands whileholding a bat and to help maintain proper alignment of a batter'sknuckles throughout the swing. However, the patent does not seem tofacilitate the coordination of the feet with the hands or eyes.Moreover, the reference may not assist the user in improving his/herability to field or throw a ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,845 to Canelas seems to disclose a combination ofsoccer shoes and a soccer ball where each shoe has an exterior surfacemarked with selected areas that correspond with selected areas of theball. In this fashion, the user may strike the ball at particular areasof the ball with particular areas of the shoe to have the ball move in adesired direction. However, Canelas does not usually involve positioningthe feet and hands so that a user may hit a ball with a bat or throwand/or field the ball. Additionally, Canelas normally uses specialcolor-coded shoes. Other shoes may not work with the invention ofCanelas.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,828 to Sinton seems to relate to a golf trainingsystem for aligning both hands on a glove club. The upper hand glove mayhave indicia or color coding for positioning the lower hand on the golfclub with respect to the upper hand and for aligning the thumb along thecenterline of the club. Sinton does not usually involve positioning thefeet and hands so that a user may hit a ball with a bat or throw and/orfield the ball. Sinton also does not appear to relate to having markingson the golf club corresponding to the markings on the gloves.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,880 to Wiseman seems to disclose a training mat toteach a baseball batter to utilize a proper batting position. Thetraining device is typically a mat marked with a first indiciadesignating home plate and a plurality of second indicia showingsequential segments for the batter to place his/her feet. Wisemannormally includes color coding to match one of a plurality of front-footmarkings with one of a plurality of back-foot markings, and to match thefoot markings with markings on a tee. The invention may not involvealigning a designated foot with a particular indicia, in which case awrong foot may be placed on a desired indicia. Wiseman does not appearto facilitate hand placement or proper throwing and/or fielding theball.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,126 to Harvanek typically includes a glove withmarkings for providing the wearer with a visual indication of the propergripping position of an implement, such as a golf club or baseball bat.By aligning the implement with markings on the glove, a proper grippingposition can be obtained. However, Harvanek may not use the markings tomatch the color of these portions with the same color somewhere else,such as the golf club, but uses the color to establish a visual contrastso these portions can easily be identified. Harvanek may fail to assista user position his/her feet so that the user may hit a ball with a bator throw and/or field the ball in cooperation with the position of thefeet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,280 to Dickerson often includes a golf trainingdevice comprising a glove used on the leading hand of the golf swingwith a diagonal strip for the purpose of showing the placement of thegolf club and, on the back of the thumb and running the length of thethumb, a strip of material carrying a plurality of hook like members tobe hooked with a corresponding strip of material on a half glove on theother hand. Dickerson usually does not involve positioning the feet andhands so that a user may hit a ball with a bat or throw and/or field theball.

U.S. Patent No. 5,244,233 to McCraney and U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,858 toCariffe both relate to attachments, such as paint or stickers, thatdesignate left and right shoes so that a wearer would know which shoe toapply to which foot. The patents do not relate to sport training devices

U.S. Pat. No. 5,290. 043 to Vidinic may disclose a target with sectionsof different colors and a shoe with corresponding colored sectionsdirecting the player which portion of the foot to use to kick the ballinto the corresponding section of the target. The patent may alsodescribe a special shoe or adapting an ordinary shoe such as by applyingstickers or Velcro attachments but may not address the use of theinvention for positioning the feet and hands so that a user may hit aball with a bat or throw and/or field the ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,344 to Masstab seems to include a glove and handlewith self-adhesive surfaces which permit the glove to be secured to thehandle of a golf club to prevent relative movement of the glove andhandle. The patent does not teach using color codes, and does notusually involve positioning the feet and hands so that a user may hit aball with a bat or throw and/or field the ball.

What is desired, therefore, is a sport training device that assists auser in positioning a lower part of the body with an upper part of thebody. Another desire is to provide a sport training device that assiststhe user in properly positioning the hands on a club and that assiststhe user in properly positioning the feet on a walking surface. Afurther desire is to provide a sport training device that assists theuser in throwing and/or fielding the ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a sport trainingdevice that helps position a user's lower body and upper body so thatthe lower body and upper body may cooperate with each other to moreeasily hit, field, and/or throw a ball.

These and other objects are achieved by a sport training device thatincludes a leg marker adapted to be removably placed on a walkingsurface for indicating placement of a user's leg on the walking surface,the leg marker having a color. The sport training device also includes ashoe marker adapted to be removably placed on a user's shoe and having asame color as the leg marker for indicating placement of the user's legproximate to the leg marker. Further, the invention has an arm markeradapted to be removably placed on a striker for indicating placement ofa user's arm on the striker, the arm marker also having a color. theinvention also includes a glove marker adapted to be removably placed ona user's hand and having a same color as the arm marker for indicatingplacement of the user's hand proximate to the arm marker, where the shoemarker is placed proximately to the leg marker by matching the colors ofthe shoe marker and the leg marker for facilitating proper form of auser's lower body and where the glove marker is placed proximately tothe arm marker by matching the colors of the glove marker and the armmarker for facilitating proper form of a user's upper body.

In a further embodiment, the sport training device may include a secondleg marker having a second color different from the color of the legmarker and wherein the second leg marker is adapted to be removablyplaced on the walking surface for indicating placement of a user'ssecond leg.

Similar to the second leg marker, the invention may also have a secondarm marker which has a second color different from the color of the armmarker and wherein the second arm marker is adapted to be removablyplaced on the striker for indicating placement of a user's second armproximate to the second arm marker.

The color of the leg marker and arm marker need not be the same and maybe different from one another. In some embodiments, the striker is anelongated shaft for striking a ball, or a bat. In other embodiments, thewalking surface is a mat or a ground surface.

In further embodiments, the glove marker and second glove marker eachhave an indicator for facilitating placement of the glove markerrelative to the second glove marker.

In another aspect of the invention, the sport training device includes afirst leg marker adapted to be removably placed on a walking surface forindicating placement of a user's first leg on the walking surface and afirst shoe marker adapted to be removably placed on a user's first shoe,the first shoe marker having the same color as the first leg marker forindicating placement of the user's first leg proximate to the first legmarker. The invention also includes an arm marker adapted to beremovably placed on a striker for indicating placement of a user's armon the striker and a glove marker adapted to be removably placed on auser's hand for facilitating placement of the user's hand proximate tothe arm marker, the glove marker having the same color as the armmarker. the invention also has a second leg marker adapted to beremovably placed on the walking surface for indicating placement of auser's second leg and a second shoe marker adapted to be removablyplaced on a user's second shoe, the second shoe marker having the samecolor as the second leg marker for indicating placement of the user'ssecond leg proximate to the second leg marker. The first shoe marker isto be placed proximately to the first leg marker by matching the colorsof the first shoe marker and the first leg marker for facilitatingproper form of a user's lower body and the second shoe marker is to beplaced proximately to the second leg marker by matching the colors ofthe second shoe marker and the second leg marker for facilitating properform of the user's lower body. The glove marker is to be placedproximately to the arm marker by matching the colors of the glove markerand the arm marker for facilitating proper form of a user's upper bodyand the user, for facilitating placement of the user's first and secondlegs during the act of throwing a ball, slides the second shoe markeruntil the second shoe marker touches the first shoe marker beforereleasing the ball.

In still another aspect of the invention, a sport training device isprovided to properly position the lower body. The device includes afirst leg marker adapted to be removably placed on a walking surface forindicating placement of a user's first leg on the walking surface and afirst shoe marker adapted to be removably placed on a user's first shoe,the first shoe marker having the same color as the first leg marker forindicating placement of the user's first leg proximate to the first legmarker. The invention also includes a second leg marker adapted to beremovably placed on the walking surface for indicating placement of auser's second leg on the walking surface and a second shoe markeradapted to be removably placed on a user's second shoe, the second shoemarker having the same color as the second leg marker for indicatingplacement of the user's second leg proximate to the second leg marker.The first and second leg markers are of different colors, wherein theuser, for facilitating placement of the user's first and second legsduring the act of throwing a ball, slides the second shoe marker untilthe second shoe marker touches the first shoe marker before releasingthe ball and wherein the user moves the second shoe marker from a firstposition being proximate to the second leg marker to a second positionbeing proximate to the first leg marker.

The first shoe marker may include an instep and the second shoe markermay include a heel. During the act of fielding a ball, the first andsecond leg markers are placed in select locations on the walking surfaceto position the user's first and second legs for proper fielding.

In a further aspect of the invention, a sport training device isprovided for positioning an upper part of the body on a striker. Thedevice includes a first arm marker adapted to be removably placed on thestriker for indicating placement of a user's first arm on the striker,the first arm marker having a color. A first glove marker is adapted tobe removably placed on the user's first arm and has a same color as thefirst arm marker for facilitating placement of the user's first armproximate to the first arm marker. Similar to the first arm marker andfirst glove marker, a second arm marker is provided having a secondcolor different from the color of the first arm marker and wherein thesecond arm marker is adapted to be removably placed on the striker forindicating placement of a user's second arm proximate to the second armmarker. A second glove marker is adapted to be removably placed on theuser's second arm and has a same color as the second arm marker forfacilitating placement of the user's second arm proximate to the secondarm marker, and wherein the first and second arm markers are removablysecured to select areas the striker depending upon whether the user isright handed or left handed. In some embodiments, the sport trainingdevice is for facilitating positioning the user's arms on a bat used forstriking a ball.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the sport training device in accordance with theinvention.

FIG. 2 more particularly depicts the leg marker shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 more particularly depicts the shoe marker shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 more particularly depicts the glove and glove marker shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 more particularly depicts the striker shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 more particularly depicts the leg marker shown in FIG. 1 forpitching the ball.

FIG. 7 more particularly depicts the leg marker shown in FIG. 1. forfielding and throwing the ball.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts sport training device 10 in accordance with theinvention. Device 10 includes leg marker 20, which is adapted to beremovably placed on walking surface 30 for indicating placement of auser's leg on the walking surface. Although walking surface 30 is shownto be a mat that is movable to any location where the user may desire toplay the sport, such as the user's home or at a public field, furtherembodiments may provide that the walking surface be a ground and thatleg marker 20 is be placed directly on the ground.

Device 10 further includes shoe marker 40, which is adapted to beremovably placed on a user's shoe. Both leg marker 20 and shoe marker 40should have the same color so that the user may more easily place theuser's leg proximate to the leg marker by matching the colors.Therefore, by proper placing leg marker 20 in a proper position, and bythe user placing his/her leg proximate to leg marker 20 by matching thecolor of shoe marker 40 with leg marker 20, the user's leg is also inthe proper position.

Although leg marker 20 and shoe marker 40 have the same color in theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, this is not a requirement. In otherembodiments, leg marker 20 and shoe marker 40 may be of differentcolors. All that is necessary is that a user, upon viewing leg marker 20and shoe marker 40, be able to place shoe marker 40 proximate to legmarker 20 based on visually identifying a relation between leg marker 20and shoe marker 40. In some cases, where brown and green may be theuser's favorite colors, these colors may be employed as opposed tohaving the same colors for both leg marker 20 and shoe marker 40. Shoemarker 40 may be a sticker, pin, sign, or any indicator removably placedon a shoe for indicating shoe marker 40 corresponds with leg marker 20due to a color of shoe marker 40 and leg marker 20. In furtherembodiments, other indicators may correspond leg marker 20 with shoemarker 40, such as a shape or design common to both leg marker 20 andshoe marker 40. Such shape or design may be a triangle, logo, or otherindicia placed on shoe marker 40 and leg marker 20. Shoe marker 40 ismore particularly depicted in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, device 10 further includes arm marker60, which is adapted to be removably placed on striker 50 for indicatingplacement of a user's arm, which may be a hand, fore arm, or upper arm,on striker 50. Arm marker 50 may be any tape or elastic secured tostriker 50 so that the user may place glove marker 70, which is placedon glove 71, in a proper position on striker 50 by matching colors ofglove marker 70 with arm marker 50. Glove 71 and striker 50 may be a batused to strike a ball.

Arm marker 60 may be moved to different locations on striker 50 as auser grows or as striker 50 is utilized by different users withdifferent gripping styles, such as users that are right handed or lefthanded. Glove marker 70 is any indicator that corresponds with armmarker 60. Glove marker 70 and arm marker 60 have the same limitationsas shoe marker 40 and leg marker 20 in that glove marker 70 and armmarker 60 may be a sticker, pin, sign, or any indicator removably placedon glove 71, which may be a batting glove, or striker 50 and thatindicators include any color, shape, logo, or design. In someembodiments, arm marker 60, glove marker 70, shoe marker 40, and legmarker 20 all have the same color. However, this is not a requirement onthe invention provided glove marker 70 corresponds with arm marker 60and shoe marker 40 corresponds with leg marker 20, in which case glovemarker 70 and arm marker 60 are of a first color and shoe marker 40 andleg marker 20 are of a second color.

Moreover, glove marker 70 and arm marker 60 may be applied to glove 71and striker 50, respectively, using any known or novel means, such asadhesive, elastic bands, pins, fasteners, and the like.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, device 10 may also include arm marker60′, glove marker 70′, shoe marker 40′, and leg marker 20′for theopposite hand and foot. Arm marker 60′, glove marker 70′, shoe marker40′, and leg marker 20′ all include the same limitations as theirrespective counterparts, arm marker 60, glove marker 70, shoe marker 40,and leg marker 20, respectively. In further embodiments, glove marker70, 70′ may be placed proximate to the knuckle area of glove 71, 71′, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, so that the left and right hands may be alignedproperly on striker 50. In a variation of these embodiments, glovemarkers 70, 70′ may be placed on glove 71, 71′ and another indicator maybe placed at the knuckles. Still further, glove marker 70, 70′ may be acolor of glove 71, 71′ and shoe marker 40, 40′ may be a color of a shoe.

As shown in FIG. 2, a right handed batter has leg marker 20, forplacement of a right leg, placed further away from a pitcher than leftleg marker 20′, which indicates placement of a left leg. The left handedbatter has his/her leg positions reversed. For the purposes ofsimplicity, it should be known that the descriptions for FIGS. 6 a, 6 b,6 c, 7 a, and 7 b are that of a right handed player. For a left handedplayer, the movement of the feet are merely reversed.

The act of pitching is more particularly shown in FIG. 6 a, 6 b, and 6c. Device 10 includes a different use of leg markers 20, 20′ than shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 6 a, the starting position is wherefeet are shoulder width apart. Leg marker 20 is half on the pitchingrubber and half in the dirt, where leg marker 20′ is half on thepitching rubber and half of the dirt behind the pitching rubber. Thepitcher needs to be relaxed at this point, and a deep breath can assistto get the young pitcher to relax their muscle. The ball must bepresented to the hitter, and then the ball can go into the pitcher'sglove. At this time, the rest of the presentation should remain assimple as possible. After ball and glove are brought together, the balland glove shoulder come in front of the pitcher's face, at the top ofthe pitcher's circle (assuming this is a softball windmill pitch), theball and glove will split. The arm & ball will continue in the arm slotand go up by the ear. The glove arm will then go down toward the leftleg as the ball hand comes in its downward motion to wrist snap andrelease point.

At this time, the user's foot on leg marker 20 will simultaneously pivotand the user's foot on leg marker 20′ along with the hip and body moveinto an open powerphase, or X position (see FIG. 6 b). This positionwill create the most power from the pitcher's body by utilizing his/herlower body leg drive and then the resistance on the user's foot standingon leg marker 20′. The foot on leg marker 20′ will plant at a 45 degreeangle. This is creating resistance on the front side, so that theopposite leg (positioned at leg marker 20) can drive against the leg onleg marker 20′.

The back leg (leg marker 20) will drag on the instep of the foot, toprevent a double plant (crow hopping). The leg on marker 20 will dragand then the foot will push off to the opposite leg's heel and turn thebody to complete a figure 4 position with the body. The body will remainbalanced and rest on the front leg until the pitching motion iscompleted. The leg formerly on marker 20 will then finish next to theother foot (shown by leg marker 20′) in a balanced fielding positionshown in FIG. 6 c. The arm circle will finish in a loose position infront of the body with the hand saying Hi! The pitching hand should nottouch the shoulder when completed, or this will create a tight armcircle and will cause control and arm problems in the future. The armshould never follow past the shoulder on follow through or we havewasted energy. The above finished position shown in FIG. 6 c is that ofa softball windmill pitch. In baseball, the leg indicated by leg marker20 would actually end slightly in front of leg marker 20′ and is shownin dashed lines.

FIGS. 6 b-6 c may be described as the PowerPhase & Lower Body Leg Drive.PowerPhase−slide & turn =red tape to blue tape. Start with the red foot(leg marker 20 or right foot) straight with the pitching rubber, andblue foot (leg marker 20′ or left foot) at a 45 degree angle. Drag onthe instep of red foot (Place red tape on the instep of the red foot andblue tape on the hell of the blue foot. Player will be dragging red tapeto blue tape to create the slide & turn, and complete the leg drive in aFIG. 4 position). Belly button will finish at the catcher, the red footwill be placed next to the blue foot upon completion of the leg driveand hip close. The blue foot (left foot) remains planted in a 45 degreeangle. This is using the concept of resistance against a firm front sideas is done in hitting.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b depict the act of fielding and, more particularly, thepositions of the feet during fielding. The start position is shown byFIG. 7 a, where the left and right feet are facing the ball at the topof the figure (ball not shown). Leg marker 20′ is for the left foot andleg marker 20 is for the right foot. Once the player positions the feetas shown in FIG. 7 a to await the ball that is hit to the player, andonce the player fields or receives the ball is fielded, the playerplaces the right leg, indicated by leg marker 20, forward in thedirection she/he wishes to throw the ball, such as to a base, andfinishes by planting the left leg, or front leg indicated by leg marker20′, ahead of leg marker 20. See FIG. 7 b. This is similar to thepitching diagram shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 c where the back leg is used topush off against the front leg.

In a further embodiment, the invention shown in FIGS. 7 a and 7 b have atriangle painted on a mat for facilitating positioning of leg marker's20 and 20′. The player matches the first colored shoe marker with thefirst colored leg marker, then the second colored shoe marker with thesecond colored leg marker. The player then places his/her hands at thetop of the triangle, which forces the player to bend the body over toreach t he top of the triangle as the lower body is properly placedaccording the shoe and leg markers.

Although leg markers 20, 20′ are shown and described to be movable andplaced in different positions whether for hitting (FIG. 2), pitching(FIGS. 6 a-6 c), and/or fielding (FIGS. 7 a and 7 b), leg markers 20,20′ may be duplicated and placed on a single mat in any combination. Forexample, one mat may have leg markers 20, 20′ for a right handed hitteras shown in FIG. 2 on one side and leg markers 20, 20′ for a left handedhitter as shown in FIG. 2 on an opposite side as the right handedhitter. Another mat may employ what is shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 c on oneside of the mat and what is shown in FIGS. 7 a-7 b on an opposite sideof the mat. In this manner what is shown in FIG. 2 is on a first mat andwhat is shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 c and 7 a-7 b is on a second mat.

In a further embodiment, a single mat may employ what is shown in FIG. 2on one side of the mat (both right and left handed hitter positioning onthe same side of the mat) along with what is shown in FIGS. 7 a-7 b onthe same side of the mat. On the opposite side of this single mat, whatis shown in FIGS. 6 a-6 c may be depicted. In this further embodiment, asingle mat may depict all that is sown in FIGS. 2, 6 a-6 c, and 7 a-7 b.

EXAMPLE 1 Hitting Positioning (Refer to FIGS. 1 and 2)

Lower Half of Body

-   -   Right & Left Handed Batter: red color=red foot leg marker 20 and        blue color=left foot leg marker 20′    -   Feet Spread: Slightly wider than shoulder width. Leg markers 20,        20′ placed on mat 30 at shoulder′ s width.    -   Weight on the balls of the feet and relaxed knees.        Upper Half of Body    -   Hand grip: knuckles lined up according to line across knuckles        of gloves 71, 71′. Line across knuckles may be red and blue (red        color=right hand and blue color=left hand) glove markers 70, 70′        or gloves themselves may be red and blue and line across        knuckles may be any colored line or indicator for lining the        knuckles of the gloves 71, 71′ together.    -   Right handed Hitter:        -   Red Color (Right hand)=Top hand of the bat handle        -   Blue Color (Left hand)=Bottom hand of the bat handle    -   Left handed Hitter:        -   Red Color (Right hand)=Bottom hand of the bat handle        -   Blue Color (left Hand)=Top hand of the bat handle    -   Bat on Shoulder & lift bat straight off shoulder, like a        telephone.    -   Head Straight, two eyes focused on pitcher: Looking at release        point.

EXAMPLE 2 Hitting (Refer to FIGS. 1 and 5)

Swinging the Bat (striker 50)

-   -   “Knob bat to the ball”.    -   Barrel of bat hits the ball.    -   Red foot pivots or turns.    -   Belly button of hitter finishes at the pitcher. (pitcher throws        the ball to the hitter/offensive player)    -   Head down on contact—watching ball hit the bat “think spitting        on the ball”.    -   Bat follows through with two hands to the back.    -   The bat is placed down on ground and hitter runs to first base.        Hitting Drills Utilizing the Color coded Hitting Training Mat        (leg markers 20, 20′ on mat 30)

1. Knob Bat Drill

-   -   a. Kneeling        -   Set Up: Place the right knee down on the red footprint (leg            marker 20). Place the left foot straight out in front            towards the white batter box line. Place the tee close to            the player's body at their left (blue) knee. Line the red            batting glove (glove 71 with glove marker 70) with the red            grip (glove marker 70) on the bat (striker 50) and the left            hand with the blue grip (glove marker 70′ on the bat            (striker 50). Place the bat on & off the shoulder like a            telephone. The player will not move their body. The knob of            the bat will knock the sponge ball off the top of the tee.    -   b. Standing        -   Set Up: place the right foot on the red foot print (leg            marker 70) and the left foot on the blue footprint (leg            marker 70′). Place the tee close to their body line up with            the front of their blue leg. Line the red batting glove with            the red grip on the bat and the left hand with the blue grip            on the bat. Place the bat on & off the shoulder like a            telephone. The player will not move their body. The knob of            the bat will knock the sponge ball off the top of the tee.

2. One Handed Drill

-   -   a. Hit the papers w/bare hands at the coach on the bucket        -   Set Up: place the right foot on the red foot print (leg            marker 20) and the left foot on the blue Footprint (leg            marker 20′). Using no bat. Player places hands together by            lining up the colored lines on the batting gloves (refer to            hitting stance upper body). The coach throws rolled up            papers with rubber bands around them at the player's hands.            The player will use one hand at a time, and hit the papers            back at the coach, with out moving their feet off the mat.            Only the hands move in this drill. This drill isolates the            hands movement going to the ball.

3. Bat Behind Back Drill:

-   -   a. Ball Behind the Back Pivot Foot        -   Set Up: place the right foot on the red foot print (leg            marker 20) and the left foot on the blue footprint (leg            marker 20′). Place a ball on the outer side of the right            (red) heel. The player then practices pivoting on the red            (right) foot. The blue (left) foot does not move. When done            the belly button should be facing the pitcher.    -   b. Off the Tee        -   Set Up: place the right foot on the red foot print and the            left foot on the blue footprint. Move the tee with a sponge            ball on top so that it is close to players body and even            with the players belly button. Place the bat behind the            players back. The player then pivots on the red foot, and as            a result of the rotation of the body the bat will move to            hit the ball on the tee.

4. Mirror work (Dry Swings with instant visual feedback)

-   -   Set Up: Using the Colored Hitting Mat (leg markers 20, 20′ on        mat 30) setting the movable mirror in front at a distance far        enough a way that the bat will not hit the mirror or the side of        player so that the player's body is in the middle of the mirror.        Using the Hitting Training Mat place the right foot on the red        foot print and the left foot on the blue footprint. Line the red        batting glove with the red grip on the bat and the left hand        with the blue grip on the bat. Place the bat on & off the        shoulder like a telephone. Lead with the knob of the bat to the        ball, then the barrel is extended. Red foot pivots, the belly        button finishes at the pitcher, and bat follows to the back. Two        hands remain on bat at all times.

5. Tee Work

-   -   a. High/Low

6. Front Toss

-   -   a. Big ball    -   b. Regular ball

EXAMPLE 3 Throwing Positioning (Refer to FIGS. 7 a and 7 b)

Lower Half of Body

-   -   Balance: Feet spread and weight on balls of feet, “Bottom of the        Triangle”(Refer to FIG. 7 a)        -   i. Red (right foot) and blue (left foot)    -   Rotate Body & Belly Button Opens: While taking first step (refer        to FIG. 7 b)        -   i. Right handed Thrower . . . “Red (right foot)-Blue (left            foot)”        -   ii. Left Handed Thrower. . . “Blue (Left Foot)-Red (right            foot)”            Upper Half of Body    -   Front Shoulder/Glove : Pointed to target    -   Throwing Elbow: Shoulder Level: “L position”    -   Belly Button open (step from top of triangle to red blue on        throwing mat matching the colored dots on the shoes Red=right &        Blue=Left)    -   Throwing Hand goes by the ear    -   Throwing Hand follows to the blue knee (right handed) and red        knee (left handed)        Partner Towel Drill

Step #1“Stance in L Position”

-   -   Using the throwing & Fielding Mat stand in front of triangle    -   Place Body in Open Position on Red (right) and blue (left) foot        prints    -   Point your glove arm at target    -   Throwing Arm in an L Position as high as the shoulder

Step #2: Partner Set Up

-   -   Partner holds glove out in front    -   Partner needs to have enough room for the arm to be able to        extend

Step #3“Pivot/Throw/Snap Towel into Glove of Partner”

-   -   Throw “over the top”, not sideways. (Sideway throws can cause        elbow and shoulder injuries.)    -   Release ball as your throwing, at the top of the arc.    -   Pivot body as you throw. Lead with the elbow and snap towel into        the glove    -   As you pivot the body, back hip should rotate so belly button        faces target    -   Chest is over the glove on follow through        Knee Drill    -   Using the throwing & Fielding Mat (Use the line above the        fielding triangle).        -   For right handed throwers, put blue knee up and place blue            foot on blue foot print, red knee down on red foot print.        -   For left handed throwers, put red knee up and place the red            knee on the red footprint, blue knee down on the blue foot            print.    -   The knee that is up, points toward target.    -   Belly is in the open sideways position in line with the line        that the colored feet are on    -   Elbow goes by the ear (on top of the ball)    -   Release ball at top of arc-“think about hitting the person on        top of the head    -   Follow through to opposite knee (infielders) or ankle        (outfielders)    -   Glove hand ends down by the hip.

EXAMPLE 4 Fielding Positioning (Refer to FIG. 7 a)

Ready Position For Fielding Ground Balls (refer to FIG. 8) Glove Hand:Out front at the : “Top of the Triangle”

-   -   Throwing Hand: Palm up: “Alligator Hands” not a “Seal”    -   Flex at knee and hips    -   Ready position begins with the pitcher's wind-up        Fielding Position    -   Feet: Wider than shoulders using the, “Bottom of the Triangle”        on the throwing mat    -   Red (right foot) & Blue (left foot)    -   Glove Foot Forward & knees bent with flat back    -   “Alligator Hands”: Eats the ball    -   Head down on the ball see ball into glove    -   Field the ball out front & the ball into the “Belly Button”        Approach to Ball    -   Left hander→left foot first    -   Right hander→right foot first        Catching the Ball Above the Waist    -   Two Hands & Fingers to the sky like waving hi    -   At the chest (not covering the face)    -   Cover the ball with the bare hand after ball is in the glove    -   Back of the glove should face the body        Fielding Drills    -   Knee/Cradle Drill—Students are on their knees on the throwing        mat (right on the red footprint and left knee on the blue        footprint), have them first use their bare hands and then use        their gloves to fielding the ball at the mid line (belly button)        of their body with two hands and cradle the ball into their        body.    -   Triangle/ Fielding Position:        -   1) Fielding A Ground Ball: Using color coded fielding &            throwing mat set the players feet on the bottom of the            triangle (red=right foot and blue=left foot), and hands on            the top of the triangle where the pitcher of the glove is.            Roll ball to players. Keeping ball in the “belly button” and            hold fielding the ball in the cradled position.        -   2) Teaching Throwing Foot Work From Triangle—using a line            with tape: Players are set up in proper fielding position            using the triangle as stated above in fielding a ground            ball. Roll the ball to the player and have then practice            proper foot work using the color system on the fielding &            throwing mat in matching the correct colored pin on the            players shoes (Refer to Throwing Fundamentals for the            directions on the color pattern to use depending on if your            player is a right or left handed thrower). If is important            to freeze the player at the open position, so that they            understand how to get open. Their feet should be in the            proper colored foot print.    -   2 Ball Drill—Player is in proper fielding position, coach is        rolling a ball lateral the opposite direction as soon as the        first ball is being fielded. Coaches must vary this drill based        on player ability, and try to push each player to work on        quicker feet and adjusting their movement lateral cone to cone.    -   Colored Ball Drill—This drill will force the player to focus on        the ball on the way into the glove and work on player        concentration skills. Setting the player up on the fielding mat        in the proper fielding position listed above in “Fielding a        Ground Ball.” Using two balls that are different colors. Each        time the player fields a ground ball they must call out the        color of the ball.    -   Self Toss        -   1. Game: who can catch most in a row with out dropping the            ball.    -   Paddle Drill        -   1. Fielding Ground Balls        -   2. Catching Pop-ups    -   Fielding & Throwing Games Using The Color Coded Throwing Mat        -   1. Point system for hitting certain targets        -   2. Hit the Coach Drill        -   3. Balloon Games            -   Target Drill            -   Softhands partner toss    -   5 Ball Drill in Proper Fielding & Throwing Position

2 Coach Line Drill

-   -   Partner Toss w/ Colored Coded Throwing Mats        -   Ground balls        -   One Hops

4 Corner Throwing Drill

EXAMPLE 5 Windmill Pitching (Refer to FIGS. 6 a-6 c)

Phase #1 (Grip & Wrist Snap)

-   -   1. Wrist Snaps in Open Position        -   45 Degree Angle on Both Feet            -   a) Using Spinner & Ball    -   2. Arm Circle Only (No Legs)        -   45 Degree Angle on Both Feet            -   a) Using Ball, and Wiffle® Ball                Key Terms

Grip: Four seam grip across the “C” of the ball is recommended for thebeginning pitcher. As the pitcher gains more control, the two seam gripcan be used, as the two seam grip will give the ball more movement. Oncethe young pitcher learns proper wrist snap, release point balance, andleg drive this can be used as another pitch to provide a different ballmovement using the core fundamentals of the four seam fastball.

Wrist Snap: This occurs before the hip. The ball should be held in thefinger & not the palm (proper grip) then upon the release of the ballthe wrist snap will create a tight 12 to 6 spin.

Arm Circle: A proper arm circle will pass by the EAR, (the arm should belong, but the elbow should not be locked), then the arm goes to the HIP,and before the hip the WRIST SNAP occurs, the hand then will followthrough past the hip in front of the body, with the HAND SAYING HI. Thekey on the follow through is to make sure that the elbow goes pas thehip. If the elbow stops at the hip, then the arm circle has slowed downand lost its speed on the downward swing.

Powerline: This is a straight line from the middle of the pitching moundto the catcher. This powerline is the focus for the pitchers balance andfoot placement through out the windmill pitching motion. Represented bythe yellow line.

1. A sport training device for positioning an upper part of the body ona striker and a lower part of the body on a walking surface, comprising:a leg marker adapted to be removably placed on the walking surface forindicating placement of a user's leg on the walking surface; said legmarker having a color; a shoe marker adapted to be removably placed on auser's shoe and having a same color as said leg marker for indicatingplacement of the user's leg proximate to said leg marker; an arm markeradapted to be removably placed on the striker for indicating placementof a user's arm on the striker; said arm marker having a color; a glovemarker adapted to be removably placed on a user's hand and having a samecolor as said arm marker for indicating placement of the user's handproximate to said arm marker; wherein said shoe marker is placedproximately to said leg marker by matching said colors of said shoemarker and said leg marker for facilitating proper form of a user'slower body; and wherein said glove marker is placed proximately to saidarm marker by matching said colors of said glove marker and said armmarker for facilitating proper form of a user's upper body.
 2. The sporttraining device of claim 1, further comprising a second leg markerhaving a second color different from said color of said leg marker andwherein said second leg marker is adapted to be removably placed on thewalking surface for indicating placement of a user's second leg.
 3. Thesport training device of claim 1, further comprising a second arm markerhaving a second color different from said color of said arm marker andwherein said second arm marker is adapted to be removably placed on thestriker for indicating placement of a user's second arm proximate tosaid second arm marker.
 4. The sport training device of claim 1, whereinsaid color of said arm marker is different from a color of said legmarker.
 5. The sport training device of claim 1, wherein said striker isan elongated shaft for striking a ball.
 6. The sport training device ofclaim 1, wherein said walking surface is a mat.
 7. The sport trainingdevice of claim 1, wherein said walking surface is a ground.
 8. Thesport training device of claim 1, wherein said glove marker and saidsecond glove marker each have an indicator for facilitating placement ofsaid glove marker relative to said second glove marker.
 9. A sporttraining device for positioning an upper part of the body on a strikerand a lower part of the body on a walking surface, comprising: a firstleg marker adapted to be removably placed on the walking surface forindicating placement of a user's first leg on the walking surface; saidfirst leg marker having a color; a first shoe marker adapted to beremovably placed on a user's first shoe and having a same color as saidfirst leg marker for indicating placement of the user's first legproximate to said first leg marker; an arm marker adapted to beremovably placed on the striker for indicating placement of a user's armon the striker; said arm marker having a color; a glove marker adaptedto be removably placed on a user's hand and having a same color as saidarm marker for facilitating placement of the user's hand proximate tosaid arm marker; a second leg marker adapted to be removably placed onthe walking surface for indicating placement of a user's second leg;said second leg marker having a color; a second shoe marker adapted tobe removably placed on a user's second shoe and having a same color assaid second leg marker for indicating placement of the user's second legproximate to said second leg marker; wherein said first shoe marker isplaced proximately to said first leg marker by matching said colors ofsaid first shoe marker and said first leg marker for facilitating properform of a user's lower body; wherein said second shoe marker is placedproximately to said second leg marker by matching said colors of saidsecond shoe marker and said second leg marker for facilitating properform of the user's lower body; wherein said glove marker is placedproximately to said arm marker by matching said colors of said glovemarker and said arm marker for facilitating proper form of a user'supper body; and wherein the user, for facilitating placement of theuser's first and second legs during the act of throwing a ball, slidessaid second shoe marker until said second shoe marker touches said firstshoe marker before releasing the ball.
 10. The sport training device ofclaim 9, wherein said striker is an elongated shaft for striking a ball.11. The sport training device of claim 9, wherein said walking surfaceis a mat.
 12. A sport training device for positioning a lower part ofthe body on a walking surface, comprising: a first leg marker adapted tobe removably placed on the walking surface for indicating placement of auser's first leg on the walking surface; said first leg marker having acolor; a first shoe marker adapted to be removably placed on a user'sfirst shoe and having a same color as said first leg marker forindicating placement of the user's first leg proximate to said first legmarker; a second leg marker adapted to be removably placed on thewalking surface for indicating placement of a user's second leg on thewalking surface; said second leg marker having a color different fromsaid color of said first leg marker; a second shoe marker adapted to beremovably placed on a user's second shoe and having a same color as saidsecond leg marker for indicating placement of the user's second legproximate to said second leg marker; wherein the user, for facilitatingplacement of the user's first and second legs during the act of throwinga ball, slides said second shoe marker until said second shoe markertouches said first shoe marker before releasing the ball; wherein theuser moves said second shoe marker from a first position being proximateto said second leg marker to a second position being proximate to saidfirst leg marker.
 13. The sport training device of claim 12, whereinsaid first shoe marker includes an instep.
 14. The sport training deviceof claim 12, wherein said second shoe marker includes a heel.
 15. Thesport training device of claim 12, wherein said first and second legmarkers are placed in select locations on the walking surface toposition the user's first and second legs for fielding a ball.
 16. Asport training device for positioning an upper part of the body on astriker, comprising: a first arm marker adapted to be removably placedon the striker for indicating placement of a user's first arm on thestriker; said first arm marker having a color; a first glove markeradapted to be removably placed on the user's first arm and having a samecolor as said first arm marker for facilitating placement of the user'sfirst arm proximate to said first arm marker; a second arm marker havinga second color different from said color of said first arm marker andwherein said second arm marker is adapted to be removably placed on thestriker for indicating placement of a user's second arm proximate tosaid second arm marker. a second glove marker adapted to be removablyplaced on the user's second arm and having a same color as said secondarm marker for facilitating placement of the user's second arm proximateto said second arm marker; and wherein said first and second arm markersare removably secured to select areas the striker depending upon whetherthe user is right handed or left handed.
 17. The sport training deviceof claim 16, wherein the sport training device is for facilitatingpositioning the user's arms on a bat used for striking a ball.